Can We Really Do That?

 

(Tom Kennedy) If you've had any conversation about public schools and Christianity, you've probably heard the concerns. "They're trying to take God out of schools." Or "You can't talk about your faith." While there are challenges facing Christians in our culture, sometimes the stories we hear can make it sound as though every opportunity for Gospel influence has disappeared.

The reality is much different. God has placed Christian teachers and students who are not ashamed of Christ and live out their faith as witnesses for Him among their peers. Here in Brantley County, God has blessed us. We have teachers and students who are boldly pointing others to Jesus Christ. That's something worth celebrating and supporting.

On April 2, every eighth-grade student in Brantley County was given the opportunity to receive a Bible during their lunch period through the ministry of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Members of the FCA Student Leadership Team distributed the Bibles to their fellow students, placing God's Word directly into the hands of young people across our county. Hundreds of students were given a copy of the Scriptures by fellow students who are seeking to live out their faith publicly. This is a testimony to the work God is doing among the next generation.

It was all made possible through the partnership of local churches, community supporters, and the annual Swampland Stampede Rodeo. Pastors and church members came together to help raise funds for the project, including some who stepped inside the rodeo arena to do some chute dogging... Let's just say there are easier ways to raise money for ministry!

God's Word was distributed. The Gospel was shared. Seeds were planted. Now we pray.

Can we really do that? By God's grace, we did.

One final thought… the Gospel influence taking place in our schools is not coming from churches forcing their way in from the outside. It is happening through Christian teachers and students who are unashamed to live for Christ where God has them. As churches, our responsibility is to pray for them, encourage them, and help equip them to be faithful witnesses in the mission field God has already given them.

The next Swampland Stampede will be held August 14-15 at the Waycross Fairgrounds. If you want more information contact Dustin Ray at uncledray10@gmail.com for more information. He also serves as Youth Pastor at Hoboken Baptist Church.